Black Dolphin Inn

About The Hotel

The Black Dolphin Inn is a 4-star boutique waterfront B&B at 916 S Riverside Drive on the Intracoastal Waterway (Indian River North) in New Smyrna Beach. Rated 4.9 across 757 reviews with 5.0 cleanliness, 4.9 rooms, 4.9 service, 4.9 sleep quality and 4.9 location subratings; value 4.8 rounds out the near-perfect scores. Amenities include free parking, free WiFi, free breakfast, taxi service, kids-stay-free and children’s television networks. The property sits on the Intracoastal mainland side south of Canal Street historic downtown, about 5 minutes drive to Flagler Avenue and the drivable Atlantic beach across the North Causeway. Recent 5-star guests praise ‘spacious rooms, delicious breakfast every day and staff very attentive to all of our needs’ and repeat guests call it ‘timeless like the town, so reminiscent of Old Florida, simple elegance and the friendliness of its team.’ One 5-star family guest flagged that ‘sound of the plumbing from the second floor is quite audible.’ Not a marketed in-room-jacuzzi property per TripAdvisor amenities — no whirlpool, hot tub or spa is listed. Best for couples wanting a boutique Intracoastal-view B&B experience over a big-brand oceanfront hotel, Canal Street arts visitors and quiet Atlantic-beach travelers.

What Guests Are Saying

“This was our third stay at Black Dolphin Inn and we can’t say enough positive things about its timelessness (like to town, so reminiscent of Old Florida), simple elegance and the friendliness of its team. The entire Inn was wonderfully updated, appointed, and upgraded a few years ago, expertly overseen by GM and co-owner Taylor Smith. His family has been in the hospitality business for generations, and it shows. Its location overlooks the inter-coastal, just minutes from the beaches (just over the bridge), as well as the shops and restaurants of Historic Downtown New Smyrna. It’s literally 10 minutes off I-95 so easy to get to in a small community of beautiful riverfront homes. Pro Tips: First - Riverfront King and Riverfront Deluxe, particularly on the second floor, are extra quiet and their decks overlook the intercoastal. Spacious and lovely, pay the extra $50.00 -$75.00 per night … you’ll be glad you did. visit well. Second - they bring in a breakfast chef each day (breakfast included in the room rate) and while simple, it is fresh and excellent. Third - among the excellent local restaurants, there is a chef-owned place just down the street (an 8 minute stroll) called Riverpark Terrace, fresh, locally-sourced menu and a quality team. Our server, Jennifer, remembered us from our last visit a year ago, pretty remarkable. We have stayed at 5-star resort and “fancy” properties all over the world, but in the case of Black Dolphin Inn, simplicity, comfort, and the quality of the team make this a “go to” place to get a much needed taste of Old Florida.” — Tom G., 5 stars

“It was a beautiful long weekend at the Black Dolphin Inn. The place is lovely. The rooms are spacious, we had a delicious breakfast every day and the staff was very attentive to all of our needs. They gave us great advice on where to go what to see in which restaurants they recommended. It’s in a wonderful location close to everything. It’s right on the intercoastal river so we have a beautiful view as well!We are planning a trip back with several for a long weekend again we highly recommend the Black Dolphin Inn. Many thanks to Taylor, Jessie, Audrey, and chef Chris! We loved our stay with you!” — Shari B., 5 stars

“Taylor and the staff were very friendly and helpful. The inn is so beautiful and the view of the intercoastal is lovely. The only thing I would warn about is that the sound of the plumbing from the second floor is quite loud if you are in the first floor room. But, as I brought my dog that is one of the two rooms that you must stay in. It wasn’t a deal breaker for me but my mother was not too thrilled. The breakfast is delicious too. I will definitely return here because it’s a tranquil place to relax.” — Kathleen E., 5 stars

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• 4.9 rating across 757 reviews - highest-rated stay in New Smyrna Beach
• 5.0 cleanliness subrating - top possible score
• Intracoastal Waterway direct-waterfront with 4.9 location subrating
• Free breakfast, taxi service, kids-stay-free and free WiFi
• Boutique B&B intimacy with 4.9-rated attentive staff and 4.9 rooms

Cons:

• Not a marketed in-room-jacuzzi property - no whirlpool, hot tub or spa in TripAdvisor amenities
• Second-floor plumbing sounds ‘quite audible’ per one recent 5-star family guest
• Boutique B&B - no pool, fitness center or resort amenities
• On the Intracoastal not the Atlantic beach - short drive across the North Causeway to Flagler Avenue
• Books far ahead - the boutique inn has limited rooms and repeat-guest loyalty

The Location

916 S Riverside Drive, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 — On the Intracoastal Waterway (Indian River North) south of Canal Street historic downtown, Volusia County. You can find more details or book your stay on TripAdvisor.